INtimacy with God
This video, “The Mystery of IN,” explores a significant biblical word. Yet we often treat it as flyover country.
In John 14, Jesus describes the mysterious intimacy between Himself and God the Father.
- John 14:10b. “… it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
- John 14:11a. “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”
- John 14:20. “I am in my Father.”
Jesus claims that the Father is living in Him, and that is the reason why the Father is able to do His work in Jesus. The works and words of Christ demonstrate His intimacy with God.
Yet Jesus is far from finished. Jesus repeatedly describes our intimacy with Himself and with the Father. Let’s not fly over these astonishing verses, but trust in them with all our hearts.
- John 14:16-17. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit joins in the act of divine connection with believers.
- John 14:18. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” We have not been abandoned on a doorstep or tossed in a dumpster.
- John 14:20. “On that day [when Jesus rises from the dead] you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Here, Jesus includes us in the intimacy. We are united, linked, bonded with Jesus and the Father. Inseparable!
- John 14:23. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Home is the cherished place where we live and interact with loved ones. The place that the Father and the Son long to inhabit is YOU and ME!
This is why Relationship with God is one of the 10 building blocks of the Christian life. Jesus’ promises aren’t parables or poetry. The actual relationship God offers us is Intimacy with Him.
- Compare the promises in John 14 to Rev. 3:20. Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Is it time to establish an open-door policy?
- How would your walk with God be changed if you truly believed that God is this tight with you, and you with Him?
John 14 is not flyover country! We need to land here and live in Christ’s promises. This is #3 of 10 blogs which tour through John 14 while pointing out the 10 building blocks of life in Christ. All 10 appear in John 14.
Join the ongoing dialog about the Gospel of John occurring online at www.philbickel.com, Facebook, and Youtube. The catalyst for the dialogue is the free 97-page ebook by Phil Bickel, Fullness or Fraction in the Gospel of John, which introduces readers to 10 essential building blocks of life in Christ.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.